As with all things 2020, Christmas got cancelled (Picture: Getty Images)

And so begins that awkward bit between Christmas and New Year where no one knows what day it is.

Its the calendrical No Mans Land where dates become futile and the durability of our favourite pair of joggers is tested to the limit.

Except this year, the confusion began back in March.

The past nine months have rolled into one hellish nonsense full of tears, tiers and far too much Matt Hancock. With very few social events to mark the passing of time Ive lost track of entire months, which is why Christmas felt more important this year than ever before.

As with all things 2020, Christmas got cancelled.

But, like a bigoted celebrity who shouldve thought twice before publishing a tweet, Christmas didnt disappear altogether. It just had to remain low-key until its safe to go outside again.

Human beings find comfort in tradition, yet we also have an incredible ability to adapt them to fit our circumstances. Weve swapped whole turkeys for packet slices, board games for Zoom calls and Santa outsourced his delivery services to the Amazon elves.

Theres no denying that Christmas has been different for all of us this year but I doubt it will have been the first time our plans have had to be adapted.

I dont know a single family who hasnt had some sort of crisis strike around Christmas time. Divorce, death and illness dont wait until January to devastate our lives, so we do what we can to keep the yuletide cheer, regardless of our circumstances.

Weve had so many endings and beginnings taken from us this year. Weddings postponed, funerals reduced in capacity but that doesnt mean the love is any less real or the loss isnt just as painful.

People often rely on ceremony to outwardly express emotion, so when tradition issnatched awayit can take a toll on our mental and emotional wellbeing.

This year, theres less pressure to keep up with the Joneses as we focus instead on keeping a two metre distance from them

If Ive learned anything this year, however, its that human beings are a resilient bunch, and we discover new ways of dealing with adversity.

In our family alone weve got five positive Covid-19 tests, four isolated households, three shielding grandparents, two cancelled weddings and a partridge in a pear tree.

Weve exchanged presents through patio doors and sent Christmas dinners via Deliveroo. Our familial customs look a little different, but were still a family: perfectly imperfect and trying our best.

This wont be the first time that children have spent Christmas without a parent, or that grandparents havent been allowed to see their grandkids. Nor will it be the first time that people have spent it alone.

Just because Covid-19 has been at the centre of public discourse, doesnt mean other existing issues have ceased to exist. At least this year, we know that none of us have had the Christmas we were hoping for.

Christmas isnt always full of joy for everyone. It can be a time where many are haunted by the ghosts of Christmases past. Painful memories of family rifts, heartbreak and bereavement are made all the more vivid because the festive season comes with a sensory overload.

A Christmas jumper gifted by a late relative, the film youd watch withacousin you no longer speak to, the personalised bauble with a photo of you and an ex taken days before you found out they were cheating (cheers Etsy)can lead us into pits of despair. But its over now.

Boxing Day is for packing up those painful reminders into boxes, storing them in your emotional attic and eating your feelings away. Not the healthiest coping strategy, granted, but its a strategy, nonetheless.

We put so much pressure on ourselves to deliver the perfect Christmas. Many of us fall victim to obsessive comparison disorder as we compare the success of our festivities with those we follow on social media.

This year, theres less pressure to keep up with the Joneses as we focus instead on keeping a two metre distance from them. Just because no one posts videos of the fall outs, the culinary disasters and the Bucks Fizz-fuelled existential crises, doesnt mean they arent happening nationwide.

2020 has given us permission to let go of expectations and accept that just getting through the days in any way you can deserves a spot on thenice list.

Who knows what next year will bring or how long lockdown restrictions will continue to affect our existence. If only life was as predictable as the Hallmark Christmas movies I intend to binge on in this wasteland between Boxing Day and new year.

However you spend your Crimbo-limbo, Betwixtmas or Merrineum (my personal fave), I hope you find time to rest, reach out to those you want to and say a giant f*ck off to any brand trying to push a detox-agenda upon you come 1 January.

Youve suffered enough. Eat the mince pie. You deserve it.

Do you have a story youd like to share? Get in touch by emailingjess.austin@metro.co.uk.

Share your views in the comments below.

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Boxing Day is the start of a strange time - in 2020, that's not new - Metro.co.uk

Year built 2020-21

Utilities Tenant is responsible for electric, water, and sewer.

Pets $50 fee for dogs; $50 for cats. Maximum two pets per apartment. There are breed restrictions, as well as an 80-pound weight limit.

Bicycle storage Complimentary

Kayaks and paddleboards Will be available for residents to borrow.

Parking Grade-level parking is free for residents; guest parking will be available.

Trash Pickup is twice weekly.

Salem has its bewitching history, but Beverly has its history of producing shoemaking machinery and a new apartment complex on the shores of the Danvers River named after the Inuit Goddess of the Sea, Sedna.

The complex, by The Procopio Cos. and architect DMS Design, welcomed its first tenants in October, and is expected to be completed in early 2021. The exteriors of its two buildings are white with black windows and railings, a monochromatic design that creates a visual landmark for residents and boaters alike that allows for the buildings to be a canvas for shadows and reflections off the water, according to its brochure. The three-story buildings sit on a point of land adjacent to the MBTA commuter rail tracks and another regional landmark, known to locals as the Beverly-Salem Bridge and formally as Veterans Memorial Bridge (Route 1A). Inside, the nautical theme continues through the use of blue paint and bead board.

Each unit comes with smart locks, a smart video entry system, and a smart-home system, as well as built-in USB chargers in the kitchen.

The model featured here is a two-bedroom, two-bath unit of 1,415 square feet. The door opens into a small foyer with a closet straight ahead. A turn to the right leads to what might be considered an open-space troika: the kitchen and the dining and living areas, one after another, in that order.

Mirroring the style found throughout the unit, the kitchen is a study in how to work with neutrals. The appliances, including the electric stove, are stainless steel; the subway tile backsplash is white; and the wood-laminate cabinets are two-toned: gray uppers and lowers with white slab doors. The expansive island has a sink, seating for three, and a quartz counter with a waterfall edge. The island offers the cook a river view.

The kitchen is open to a dining area that currently holds a circular table with seating for four next to a trio of windows with black muntins on only the upper sashes, leaving the water view unobstructed.

The kitchen and dining spot share cork flooring with the living area. The space accommodates a couch, an end table, two armchairs, and an entertainment center all sitting beneath recessed lighting. The focal point of the room is the slider to the private balcony looking out to the bridge. Each unit comes with water views and either a private balcony or patio.

The units two bedrooms are reached via a hallway, but first, one finds a closet, a laundry closet with appliances behind a slatted door, and a guest bath with a single solid wood vanity topped with quartz, a cork floor, and a shower-tub combination.

The guest bedroom (132 square feet) boasts a 36-square-foot walk-in closet, a pair of windows with water views, and its own heating (air source heat pumps) and cooling controls. Walk-in closets are available in the primary bedrooms of every unit; a few dont have them in the guest room.

The main bedroom offers a respite. It has a sitting area, three windows, a 36-square-foot walk-in closet, cork flooring, and recessed lighting. The en-suite bath features a double solid wood vanity with a quartz counter, cork flooring, and a shower with a porcelain tile backsplash. The shower door is a glamorous black-framed beauty.

The complex amenities include a rooftop terrace on each building, a river walk, a fitness center in each building, sports/TV lounges in each building, work-from-home spaces and technology in each building, TransitScreen live MBTA updates, a clubroom/wine bar, common area Wi-Fi, a patio with fire pits and grills, a bicycle repair station and complimentary storage, paddleboard and kayak loaners, additional storage for rent, and a pet wash in each building.

Parking is free for residents and available for guests.

View more photos of the property and the unit below:

For more information, go to sednabeverly.com.

Follow John R. Ellement on Twitter @JREbosglobe. Send listings to homeoftheweek@globe.com. Please note: We do not feature unfurnished homes and will not respond to submissions we wont pursue. Subscribe to our newsletter at pages.email.bostonglobe.com/AddressSignUp

John R. Ellement can be reached at john.ellement@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @JREbosglobe.

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Home of the Week: At Beverlys Sedna, every apartment has a water view - The Boston Globe

Megan duBois, FamilyVacationist.com Published 12:29 p.m. ET Dec. 23, 2020 | Updated 3:09 p.m. ET Dec. 23, 2020

Archaeologists have found evidence that early humans stayed at Chiquihuite Cave around 30,000 years ago, suggesting that people reached the Americas 15,000 years earlier than previously thought. Buzz60

Sleeping in a cave may not be at the top of your post-pandemic travel bucket list, but maybe it should be.

More like luxury hideaways, the worlds best cave hotels arent filled with anything like bats or cobwebs, or annoying drips and drops instead, theyre beautifully furnished, come with all the modern amenitiesand offer endless ocean views or mountain vistas right outside your door.

With travel in 2021 still likely to be limited for at least the first half of the year, consider a unique family vacation where you can all sleep in a cave without traveling overseas or plan for international cave crashing as travel opens back up with these six spectacular cave hotels in the U.S. and around the world, assembled byFamilyVactionist.com.

This 5,800-square-foot luxury cave hotel in the Ozark Mountains of northwest Arkansas sleeps up to 12 people in its four-bedroom, four-bathroom accommodations. Nestled inside a cliffside cave with an open living space, well-appointed kitchenand sweeping views for miles, Beckham Creek Cave Lodge also boasts a natural waterfall right in the middle of the lodge that you can enjoy from the top or bottom floor.

The outdoor patio overlooks the mountains and a lake, making it an unforgettable spot for everything from romantic weekend getaways without the kids to once-in-a-lifetime family vacations. The upper floor is a dedicated private honeymoon suite, complete with a master bedroom and bathroom and rounded bed tucked into the natural rock formations of the cave.

Cave stays at Beckham Creek Cave Lodge start at $1,200 per night, but theres no multinight minimum except for bookings made over major holidays, which require at least a two-night stay.

Billed as the largest, oldest, deepest, darkest, quietest motel room in the world, the 80,000-square-foot Cavern Suite at Arizonas Grand Canyon Caverns Inn is a 65-million-year-old underground oasis that sleeps up to 10 guests. With 70-foot-high ceilings and a private elevator to and from the surface, this is a place to truly get away from it all. And dont worry, theres water, electricity, a bathroom, a TV, and a library stocked with books and DVDs for entertainment.

Overnight stays in the Cavern Suite book up quickly, so youll need to make reservations at this historic Route 66 attraction well in advance if you want to sleep in a cave 220 feet below the surface. But, the Grand Canyon Caverns also offers plenty of aboveground motel-style accommodations, as well as daytime cavern tours and evening ghost walks. You wont have to go far for other activities, either: The motel can arrange rafting tours and even an overnight trip to the scenic (and oft-photographed) Havasu Falls.

But: Arizona's famous Havasu Falls staying closed for COVID-19. Here's what to know

Built into sheer sandstone cliffs overlooking the La Plata River Valley near the the Four Corners region (the intersection of Arizona, New Mexico, Utah and Colorado), Kokopelli Cave Bed and Breakfast in New Mexico is a 1,700-square-foot underground getaway made all the more special because theres no easy way to reach it. The spacious cave hotel is 70 feet below ground, and to get there youll need to walk a sloping path carved into the sandstone. (Youll probably want to pack lightly so you arent making more than one trip.)

Once inside, youll have access to a master bedroom, living area, dining area, kitchen, bathroomand replica Native American kiva. When its time to relax, sit back and enjoy the rock-wall waterfall and Jacuzzi. Its not all subterranean darkness,either. Theres a spacious patio with sliding glass doors off the main entrance and master bedroom.

Located high on a cliff above the Aegean Sea, the 20 amphitheater-inspired cave houses that make up the Perivolas Lifestyle Houses on the island of Santorini are almost unimaginably luxurious. Notable for their smooth whitewashed arches, sculpted wallsand vaulted ceilings with skylights, these breezy cave hotel rooms are an attraction all on their own. But theres also an infinity pool where you can cool down after your days or nights exploring the surrounding beaches and villages of this sun-drenched Greek island.

Twelve of the 14 rooms at the one-of-a-kind Les Hautes Roches hotel are carved into the cliffside, transforming caves that were once used by the monks of Marmoutier Abbey into luxurious accommodations overlooking the Loire River in France. Even the furniture is carved out of limestone at this cave hotel.

Beyond its unique architecture, Les Hautes Roches wows with its extravagant terraced gardens and central location within the Loire Valley. Outdoor dining with river views caps the experience. And, just a few hours away by train, Paris makes for a great family trip before or after your Loire Valley stay.

This small cave hotel in Matera, Italy, features four large suites, a common area, terrace, and a spa nestled into the rock face. At 3,200 square feet, La Dimora di Metello is larger than you might think based on the number of rooms. But perhaps thats to be expected: Cave dwelling has been a part of the regions culture since the Paleolithic period, and the hotels location in Matera, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and past European Capital of Culture, means theres plenty to see and do when youre not enjoying the luxurious cave hotel.

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6 luxurious cave hotels where you can spend the night underground - USA TODAY

ADDISON, Texas (CBSDFW.COM) A 25-year-old Dallas area institution is closing its doors next week.

The Flying Saucer in Addison is one of the first ever craft beer bars in the area.

The bar made the announcement on its Facebook page on Monday, Dec 21.

To our beloved Addison Beerknurds,

It is with a heavy heart that we will be permanently closing our doors at the Addison Saucer after last call on THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31st. Twenty-five years passed by in a flash but the time has come for us to fly. This one stings, but we are choosing to celebrate what weve achieved!

A city requirement kept the bar from expanding the patio so the owner decided not to renew the lease.

MORE FROM CBSDFW

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One Of Dallas Areas First Craft Beer Bars, Flying Saucer Closing After Last Call New Years Eve - CBS Dallas / Fort Worth

After a tumultuous and tragic 2020, we enter the new year with guarded optimism as the world continues to battle the coronavirus pandemic. How countries heal from the crisis is crucial to struggling economies and the endurance of surprisingly strong real estate markets.

From San Francisco to Dubai, the pandemic upended housing supply and demand, but in some cases, for the better.

In the U.S., home prices have reached record highs as buyers looking to flee dense cities are seeing intense competition for single-family homes that are in short supply. New York City, in particular, saw a mass exodus last year and plummeting transactions once the city became the epicenter of the pandemic, and odds are those residents are not returning in great numbers in 2021 despite distribution of a vaccine.

London, on the other hand, saw a burst of big dealsmany of them for country homes away from the cityin light of a stamp duty holiday. Its expiration in March means a busy first quarter, at the very least, is on tap.

Dubai, meanwhile, shaken by the postponement of Expo 2020, is hoping the mega event, now planned for this October, will spur much-needed foreign investment in the city, which has faced years of falling prices.

In this special section, youll also get to read about whats coming in Miami, Los Angeles and Sydney; exciting developments launching sales; whats new in smart home technology and amenities galore. And we will give you the inside scoop from industry insiders on interior design trends.

Join Mansion Global as we guide you through everything you need to know about luxury real estate in 2021.

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2021: The Year Ahead in Luxury Real Estate - Mansion Global

With more flooding set to hit the county today, Fenland District Council has released information on what to do and who to call.

Several homes were destroyed last night (December 23) after flash flooding hit Cambridgeshire, just hours before Christmas Eve.

Here's a step-by-step guide to make your own flood defence:

A council spokesperson said: Flooding can happen very quickly. It can affect many homes and businesses, even if they're not directly at risk

Many people think that flooding will never happen to them - but it could.

Almost five million people in England are at risk of flooding; this is set to increase with a changing climate. Our local area is at risk of fluvial, groundwater and surface water flooding.

When a property does flood, it has a huge impact on individuals, businesses and communities. Return to normal life can take months.

During an emergency, or when there are flood warnings:

After a flood warning, you should:

Our policy is not to provide sandbags to residents or businesses, the spokesperson added.

However, in very exceptional circumstances, we will try to provide sandbags or other assistance to residents in domestic properties that are at risk of serious flooding.

Businesses are not covered by this service. Our limited stock of sandbags are prioritised for 'collective protection' e.g across a road, river bank etc.

If your home or business is likely to flood, you should keep a stock of ready to use sandbags and/or sand.

You can buy sandbags from hardware shops. Plastic bags filled with soil are also a good alternative.

A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said: High levels of rainfall have been recorded at the Chatteris rain gauge as a result of persistent heavy rainfall yesterday and overnight.

Consequently, flooding of roads and farmland is expected. We expect flooding to affect Middle Level, including Pondersbridge, Ramsey St Marys, Benwick and Welney.

Further light rainfall is possible over the next 24 hours. We are closely monitoring the situation.

Our incident response staff are checking defences and liaising with emergency services.

Please avoid using low lying footpaths near local watercourses and plan driving routes to avoid low lying roads near rivers, which may be flooded.

This message will be updated this afternoon Thursday, December 24, or as the situation changes.

Continued here:
How to react to flash flooding in Fenland and Cambridgeshire - Cambs Times

Music venues we lost in Toronto this past year hurt more than usual, as many spots that were already struggling to survive in a hostile landscape were unable to weather being closed for almost an entire 12 months. While these places may be gone, the memories of great shows there will live on forever.

Here are music venues we lost in Toronto this past year.

This Dundas West soul food restaurant and destination for live music closed down, but has transformed in to cafe and bar The Cottage.

This bar and live music venue in Kensington known for its DJs and dance parties was evicted by their landlord who brutally changed the locks late in the year.

Kensington lost this kitschy, long-standing space with a history of throwing wild theme parties and hosting an eclectic mix of entertainment from open mics to comedy to more established bands.

Music fans in Little Italy were heartbroken by the loss of this venue that had been around for a quarter of a century, which announced they'd be closing for good in July.

The Danforth lost this live music venue and restaurant this year, which moved to a new space recently and tried to survive during the summer with a tiny 10-seat patio.

Drag shows, drinks and karaoke at The Beaver will never be forgotten. Photo by Hector Vasquez.

This beloved Parkdale queer bar known for karaoke, drag shows and a lively back patio bid farewell to the neighbourhood with a blowout party.

Little Italy was rocked by the closure of this venue that often hosted major headliners. Around for 20 years, they announced they'd be closing immediately in early November.

For years, this unusual and intimate venue clung to its spot in Roncesvalles Village, but they closed down the physical space in early March just before the pandemic hit. They're still looking for a new home.

This Parkdale bar for drinking and dancing was unable to stay open through the pandemic, and shut its doors after 20 years in business.

Multiple levels at this King West venue went quiet after almost 20 years when they closed because the building's locks were changed in late March.

Hugh's Room has been a Toronto staple for years. Photo by Hector Vasquez.

Both an inclusive club that had been around for almost 15 years and its sister live venue in the same spot in Church Wellesley Village closed down this year.

Though this rock n' roll dive bar had moved to large digs in Little Italy recently, they had to close down permanently early into the pandemic, announcing the news in April.

This venue closed out a quarter of a century on King West with a heartfelt announcement that they would be closing in July.

Near Yonge and Eglinton, this jazz bar announced in July that that they would unfortunately have to close their doors after nearly 20 years in business.

Read more here:
15 music venues we lost in Toronto this past year - blogTO

San Leandro | $789,000A 1924 Tudor Revival house with two bedrooms and one and a half bathrooms, on a 0.1-acre lot

This property is in Alameda County, just south of Oakland on the San Francisco Bay, in an area where many of the homes including this one date to the 1920s and 1930s. San Leandro City Hall and a number of restaurants and small businesses are a few blocks away. San Leandro Marina, with its 30-acre park, is about 10 minutes away by car, as is Oakland International Airport.

Size: 1,154 square feet

Price per square foot: $684

Indoors: A rock-lined path leads to the front door, on the left side of the facade. To the right of the entry is a living room with vaulted ceilings and the original stucco fireplace. On one side of the room, a large window faces the street; on the opposite side, French doors open to the dining room.

To the left of the entry is a breakfast nook with original built-in cabinetry. The adjacent kitchen (which also connects to the dining room) has a garden window facing the side yard and counters topped with butcher block. Just off the kitchen is a powder room and space for a washer and dryer.

From the dining room, a hallway extends to the back of the house, connecting the two bedrooms and the bathroom. The first door on the left opens to a guest room big enough to hold a full-size bed and a desk. Across the hall is a bathroom with a patterned-tile floor and emerald-green-and-white tiles arranged in an Art Deco pattern on the walls. The bathtub and shower are separate, and a tiled dressing table, also in green and white, is built into the corner.

At the end of the hallway is the primary bedroom, which is big enough for a queen-size bed.

Outdoor space: A door in the kitchen opens to a side patio paved in brick, running from the driveway to the backyard. A pergola offers a shaded area for a dining table and a barbecue. The backyard is landscaped in grass, with several mature trees. The detached garage holds one car and has an additional area that could be used as a workshop or crafting space.

Taxes: $9,228 (estimated)

Contact: Pattie Holm, Golden Gate Sothebys International Realty, 510-915-4644; sothebysrealty.com

The house, which was recently remodeled, was designed to take advantage of the landscape, with a wraparound deck and mountain views from almost every room. It is about seven miles from downtown Nevada City and a 10-minute drive from Scotts Flat Lake, a popular camping and outdoor recreation area. Sacramento is about an hour and a half away by car, as is Lake Tahoe.

Size: 2,004 square feet

Price per square foot: $397

Indoors: A private driveway winds from the street to house, at the top of the hill. Double front doors open into a great room with large windows, a high ceiling, a gas fireplace and sliding-glass doors out to the deck.

Hardwood floors extend from this area into a dining space that faces an open kitchen with leathered-granite counters and new appliances. Off the kitchen is a laundry room with a stainless steel sink and access to the deck.

A hallway leads from the great room to the bedrooms. On the right is a guest room with an en suite bathroom and access to the deck; across the hall is a second guest room connected to a full bathroom that can also be reached from the great room.

The primary suite, at the end of the hall, has access to the deck and an en suite bathroom with hardwood floors, a porcelain soaking tub and a glass-walled shower.

Steps to one side of the deck lead to the lower level, where one room is currently used as a gym and a second could serve as an office or an art studio.

Outdoor space: Two of the bedrooms, the great room and the kitchen all have access to the large mahogany deck, which offers ample space for dining and lounging. The detached garage has space for two cars, and a flat section of the driveway has room for a boat or an RV.

Taxes: $9,384 (estimated)

Contact: Mimi Simmons, Century 21 Cornerstone Realty, 530-265-7940; mimisimmons.com

The sellers, who bought the house in 2015, updated the kitchen and bathrooms. They also added a vintage Airstream trailer to the yard, installing a kitchenette and a bathroom so it could serve as a guest suite or home office.

The property is in the Highland Park section of the city, about a mile from Figueroa Street, one of the neighborhoods two main drags. A stop on the L Line of the Los Angeles Metro Rail is about five away minutes by car; downtown Los Angeles is about a 20-minute drive.

Size: 1,481 square feet

Price per square foot: $540

Indoors: A wooden gate separates the house from the street. Up a small stoop is a pink front door that opens into a dining area with hardwood floors (like most of the rooms on this level) and windows overlooking the surrounding hills.

To the right of the entry is a sitting area facing a partially open kitchen with stainless steel appliances and an aqua-tile backsplash.

There are two bedrooms on this level. The first, off the dining area, has a sloped ceiling and space for a queen-size bed. The adjacent bathroom has a combined tub and shower with white subway tiling. The second bedroom, off the sitting area, is currently used as a home office; the en suite bathroom has a black-and-white tile floor and a built-in linen cabinet.

From the kitchen, an open staircase with a wooden banister leads to the lower level, where there is a flexible space with glass doors that open to the backyard. A breeze-block-inspired room divider separates the area into two sections: one currently used as a creative work space and the other as an additional bedroom. Also on this level are a kitchenette, laundry hookups and a bathroom with a walk-in shower accented by a graffiti art wall.

The Airstream has a kitchenette with aqua tiles that match those in the main kitchen and a bathroom with a stand-up shower.

Outdoor space: Off the lower level is a paved patio with room for a dining table. To the right of the patio is a yard lined with fruit trees, including pomegranate and avocado, and a seating area that faces the Airstream. The gated driveway has space for one car.

Taxes: $10,152 (estimated)

Contact: Tracy Do, Compass, 323-842-4001; tracydo.com

For weekly email updates on residential real estate news, sign up here. Follow us on Twitter: @nytrealestate.

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What $800,000 Buys You in California - The New York Times

The owner of Gerstle's Place said Wednesday night is typically the bar's highest revenue each year by far, on Thanksgiving week.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. The Wednesday night before Thanksgiving is usually the biggest night of the year for many bars. But with this year's coronavirus restrictions closing bars indoors, many businesses said the loss of revenue will hit hard.

"It's not going to look anything like in past years. It's not going to be real good," Erik White, owner of Gerstle's Place bar said Wednesday afternoon.

White said Wednesday night is typically the bar's highest revenue each year by far, on Thanksgiving week.

"This week is our busiest week by far, busier than Derby week and really the next six weeks is our busiest time of the year," White said.

With Kentucky's latest coronavirus restrictions closing the inside of bars until Dec. 13, owners like White are now relying only on their patio space for business.

"Maybe 70 or 80 people so if we can get half that in here and it's not too cold for them, that would be a win," White said. "If we break even this weekend, I'll be happy. I'll be thrilled."

White said he's lucky Gerstle's open air patio space, while many other small bars don't have any outdoor seating.

"I feel bad for people who don't have these outdoor facilities because that has been a saving grace for us this summer, and through these new restrictions," he said.

"Losing the inside is big at both locations. It's going to be a huge impact," Jared Matthews, owner of Diamond pub & Billiards in St. Matthews and the Highlands, said.

Matthews said during the restrictions, the revenue coming in just isn't enough, given the limited capacity allowed.

"There's only so many people that you can put on either one of those decks," Matthews said. "Our St. Matthews location, we're about 30% outside, 70% inside. At the Highlands location, you're looking at 95% inside."

Both bar owners said they keep their bars open for their employees.

"We're not going to do any revenue, we're not doing anything to pay the bills but our servers and our bartenders, that's how they make their living," he said.

"My employees, it's tough seeing them cry. I've got a couple single mothers. I've got some other people who cant pay rent and they're asking what are we going to do for Christmas," White added.

Gerstle's is also remaining open for now, White said, to help his employees. But once the weather gets even colder, the bar may close its doors.

"We won't open. We won't even attempt to open," White said. "It's just not going to work. I mean nobody's gonna want to sit outside in 30 degree weather shivering all night, it just doesn't make sense."

Both owners said they fear if restrictions continue, more businesses will permanently shut their doors.

"We think it's going to extend through December and maybe beyond," White said. "And that's unfortunate. We'll be able to make it through. It'll be tough. I'm more worried about the employees than anything else. Gerstle's will still be here."

"There's a lot of these places that are not going to be able to survive this. There's already been a lot of closures. A lot of friends of mine have already closed their pubs or restaurants and it's sad," Matthews said. "Get out and support local. Support the industry because it might not be here."

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Bars lose big business the night before Thanksgiving due to COVID-19 restrictions - WHAS11.com

Like a lot of business owners, Dave DeLancey said the beginning of the pandemic felt like a punch in the face. But now, things are much better at his Bourne restaurant, the Lobster Trap.

"You know, surprisingly, business has been pretty good," DeLancey said. "A lot of locals [are] visiting multiple times a week, and that every little bit helps. So it's been good."

Many Cape Cod businesses have taken a hit during the pandemic, as travel and tourism have declined. And across the country, this week is normally one of the busiest for travel as families gather for Thanksgiving. But with coronavirus cases surging, people have been encouraged to stay home.

If your business depends on tourism, how do you market it in a pandemic?

Businesses and leaders on the Cape are trying a few ways to keep people coming to the region, even in the colder months.

On a recent weekday during lunchtime, DeLancey's restaurant was busy. Servers wearing masks delivered food to full tables. And a few diners sat at the bar where old doors served as dividers between seats.

"Even with the strict guidelines here, we've held our own and stayed fairly busy. DeLancey said.

The restaurant has also benefited from a heated patio, takeout sales and a fish market that's gotten a boost from home cooks.

DeLancey said his September and October sales were up about 10% compared to the same time last year. He still expects his revenue will be down overall this year, but he's glad he gained at little bit of ground.

To do that, Delancey got creative. When restaurants had to stop dine-in service at 9:30 p.m., he decided to open earlier, and he expanded Sunday brunch service to Saturdays too.

"I try to stay positive and just hope for the best," said DeLancey, who plans to stay open through the winter.

Leaders on Cape Cod are also hoping for the best. The Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce ran a campaign this fall dubbed "Second Summer" to encourage people to keep visiting the region. Chamber CEO Wendy Northcross said good weather also helped.

"Because all these outdoor activities our beaches, our bike paths, our rural nature that we have you're able to socially distance much easier here," Northcross said. "I think that was a big part of our success for the summer, but it really carried us through into the fall as well."

Northcross said hotel bookings were strong in September they were down just 8% on weekends compared to the same time last year. But bookings dipped by about 30% in October compared to the previous year, according to Northcross.

"And that's a little disappointing to me," Northcross said.

This year, the Cape focused most of its tourism marketing on people within driving distance.

"We normally advertise nationally and some international, but our advertising this year is all focused on the drive market. And here in the Northeast," saidTony Fucillo, the director of tourism for Provincetown.

Provincetown had a whole series of events planned this fall called "Provincetown 400" to mark the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the Mayflower. The programming was expected to draw thousands of visitors, but the events had to be canceled because of the pandemic.

Fucillo said he's now focused on the holiday season and looking ahead to winter.

"It's really more about coming here to do your holiday shopping, and if you want to come to get away and be someplace where you can have what we call a 'safe-cation,'" Fucillo said. "You can come here and be safe on your own, do things outdoors, go for a hike and comply with all the necessary protocols in place."

Many shops and art galleries in town remain open right now, according to Fucillo, but this may not last. A lot of Cape businesses usually shut down for the winter and even more may close this year.

"People aren't going to be sitting outside with freezing cold, having fish and chips. It's not going to work," said Rick Murray, the general manager of the Crown & Anchor in Provincetown.

Murray said he normally keeps his business which includes a hotel, restaurant and entertainment complex open through New Year's, but decided to cut his losses this year and close in October.

"I think was the right decision because obviously you see people being pulled back with indoor dining in restaurants and bars and times, and it's only a matter of time 'til they pull back even more between Thanksgiving and Christmas," Murray said.

Murray hopes to reopen the Crown & Anchor next spring. He also owns Muscle Beach Health Club in Provincetown and said he plans to keep that open. At the moment, Murray said he has about 40% of his usual gym memberships.

"So hopefully, you know, gyms will be able to stay open at a certain capacity," said Murray. As to whether the gym business will be enough to keep him afloat through winter, he paused.

"Keeping afloat is an accurate term," he said.

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'Just Hope For The Best': Cape Aims To Keep Visitors Coming In The Offseason - WBUR